Tales of Xillia 2

68%
Game Brain Score Based on 90 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Tales of Xillia 2 Game Cover
Tales of Xillia 2 boasts a constant feeling of progression through the entire game, and though the leveling has a new, and somewhat particular, skill-based development, the complete RPG package can be found within this wholehearted sequel.
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"Tales of Xillia 2" is a captivating Role Playing game for 2 players, playable in co-op or single-player mode. The story follows Elle and Ludger on their quest to find the Land of Canaan, aboard a hijacked train, leading to a debt-burdened journey with Clanspia Inc., using Ludger's Kresnik powers to eliminate alternative timelines, while searching for Ludger's missing brother, Julius. Unravel the mystery and enjoy the immersive storyline in this mesmerizing gaming experience.

  • Play​Station
  • Play​station 3
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

68%
Audience ScoreBased on 90 reviews
story31 positive mentions
gameplay5 negative mentions
  • The game features a beautiful art style and engaging music, enhancing the overall experience.
  • The combat system is fun and dynamic, with new mechanics that add depth and strategy to battles.
  • The story is well-constructed, with character development and emotional depth that resonates with players.
  • The debt system feels tedious and forces players to grind, detracting from the overall enjoyment of the game.
  • Recycling environments from the first game can make the experience feel repetitive and less engaging.
  • The silent protagonist lacks depth, making it difficult for players to connect with him compared to more vocal characters.
  • story97 mentions

    The story of "Tales of Xillia 2" is a continuation from its predecessor, featuring a darker and more personal narrative that is well-structured, though some players find it convoluted and slow to start. While the game allows for player decisions that impact the story, the introduction of a debt system has been criticized for artificially extending gameplay and detracting from the overall narrative experience. Despite these drawbacks, the character development and writing remain strong, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of the series.

    • “Loved the story and the treatment of all the characters.”
    • “I absolutely loved the deep and rich storyline.”
    • “Ultimately, though, just like the first game, Tales of Xillia 2's greatest strength lies in its characters, its writing, and its story, all of which return here with a vengeance.”
    • “It was very hard for me to get into it at first, as it moved so incredibly slow with the story.”
    • “Furthermore, the game's plot is spread very thin, as I said before, most of the game consists of these debt interval paybacks and during these intervals in the game, you absolutely have no access to any dialogue, no skits, no boss encounters, no story progression at all until you get to what's called the 'main chapter' of the game.”
    • “However, there is a major drawback; the game artificially lengthens itself by forcing you to complete jobs unrelated to the story, often just grinding monsters so that you can pay off a massive debt that is totally inconsequential to the story.”
  • gameplay25 mentions

    The gameplay in "Tales of Xillia 2" features refined combat mechanics and the introduction of a choice system that enhances player engagement and relationship-building, leading to multiple endings. While the combat remains true to the series and is generally well-received, some players find the gameplay repetitive and criticize certain mechanics, such as the debt system, for detracting from the overall experience. Despite these downsides, the game is considered a worthwhile addition for fans, offering a blend of familiar elements and new features.

    • “The combat system is improved further with the introduction of a few new game mechanics, but they stay true to the combat system of the Tales series and deliver a great story.”
    • “There is also the introduction of the choices mechanic where you can choose how to play out your game. This leads to you being able to build relationships with your fellow friends and even choose between three different endings, like how JRPGs have always been. Although the game does have its downsides, such as being able to only choose four party members when venturing out into the wild, it is still a great game worth having if you are considering whether to pick up this wonderful Tales game.”
    • “It exceeded the initial installment of the Xillia series in terms of gameplay, depth of story, etc. It was a perfect blend of a new game with a new story but utilizing aspects and characters of the original.”
    • “Gameplay got a bit repetitive after a while - after all the character stuff was done, I just rushed toward the end.”
    • “The debt mechanic is an awful, tedious way to stretch out the plot. Allium orbs offer very little freedom in building your characters. You’ll be revisiting a lot of the same environments over and over again. Seriously, the debt mechanic is awful.”
    • “I haven't played more than an hour, which isn't far, but the beginning of the loan system ruined the gameplay for me, especially after everything that made no sense on the train. I read a lot of reviews on this after, and it turns out people barely get 18 hours of gameplay, which is somewhat surprising given the series' history.”
  • graphics9 mentions

    The graphics in Xillia 2 are widely praised for their beauty and artistic quality, contributing to an immersive experience alongside engaging character designs and environments. Players appreciate the vibrant art style and the detailed world, which enhance the overall enjoyment of the game. The visuals, combined with a compelling storyline and character interactions, create a captivating atmosphere that resonates with fans of the series.

    • “The music and graphics are pretty beautiful.”
    • “Xillia 2 is as much fun as the original, and was not the last of the series, but using the PS3 for maybe its last breath, the creators spun another magical quest of amazing art, graphics, characters, and familiar elements.”
    • “Beautiful art style and an interesting world to explore.”
  • grinding9 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is frequently criticized for being excessive and often feels like an artificial means to extend gameplay, with players required to complete numerous side missions and monster hunts unrelated to the main story. While some players appreciate the characters and music, the repetitive nature of combat and the need to revisit familiar areas detracts from the overall experience, particularly for those familiar with the previous installment. The debt mechanic is particularly noted as tedious and unengaging, contributing to the grindy feel of the game.

    • “These little story missions drive the whole plot, but they feel more or less about 20% of the experience, while 80% is spent grinding endlessly and paying back debts.”
    • “However, there is a major drawback; the game artificially lengthens itself by forcing you to complete jobs unrelated to the story, often just grinding monsters so that you can pay off a massive debt that is totally inconsequential to the story.”
    • “[The debt mechanic is an awful, tedious way to stretch out the plot. Allium orbs offer very little freedom in building your characters. You’ll be revisiting a lot of the same environments over and over again. Seriously, the debt mechanic is awful.]”
  • music5 mentions

    The music in "Tales of Xillia 2" is widely praised for its beauty, enhancing the overall experience despite the game's repetitive environments and grindy gameplay. Many players appreciate the familiar tracks from the first game, which contribute positively to their enjoyment of the characters and story. Overall, the music stands out as a highlight, making the grind more bearable.

    • “The music and graphics are pretty beautiful.”
    • “It was a bit grindy to be honest, but I loved the characters and the music, which made up for the grindiness.”
    • “The music in this game feels repetitive, as it reuses many tracks from the first installment, making it less exciting.”
    • “While the music is decent, it lacks variety and quickly becomes monotonous throughout the gameplay.”
    • “The soundtrack doesn't bring anything new to the table, leaving players longing for fresh compositions.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    Tales of Xillia 2 offers a deeply emotional experience that, while challenging, is ultimately rewarding and enhances the game's overall value, making it a worthwhile play despite its flaws.

    • “It can be a rough ride emotionally, but this is ultimately a very positive quality of Tales of Xillia 2, and it is what makes this game worth playing, despite its numerous weaknesses.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    The game offers significant replayability, which is highlighted as one of its key selling points.

    • “It adds significant replayability to the game, making it one of its largest selling points.”
    • “The variety of choices and outcomes ensures that each playthrough feels fresh and engaging.”
    • “With multiple paths and endings, I find myself coming back to explore every possibility.”
  • stability1 mentions

    Users report a high level of stability in the game, noting the absence of glitches or technical issues during gameplay.

    • “I have to say, so far I've found no glitches in this game.”
    • “The game runs smoothly without any crashes or bugs.”
    • “I've played for hours and haven't encountered any stability issues.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

47% average critic score

Play time

18hMedian play time
18hAverage play time
18-18hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

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